In the previous chapter, Jesus taught in parables. He did that in order to conceal the meaning of His teachings to those who did not “have ears to hear” and while at the same time illuminating understanding to those who “ have ears to hear”. This was a shift in Jesus’ ministry. Up until this point, He had not taught in parables until now. In Chapter 14 we see the opposition to Jesus’ building. Matthew gives us the account of John the Baptist’s death followed by Jesus feeding the 5,000 and Jesus’ walking on water.
THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
In the first part of Matthew 14 we get a flashback of something that’s happened in the not-so-distant past. The governor of this area of Judea, Herod the tetrarch, hears about Jesus and all the miracles and the crowds following Him.
Matthew 14:2- “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
John the Baptist sent his disciples to Jesus to confirm that He was the Messiah just three chapters ago. Now we get confirmation that John had been executed, and Herod is afraid. He believes that John resurrected from the dead and was working these miracles. Then we get the story of John’s execution. Matthew 14:3-12 gives the full, sordid account.
Herod had John put in prison because He had called Herod and Herodias out for their illicit, incestuous relationship. Herod was enamored with John and somewhat fearful of him because of his following and persona. He did not want to kill him, but Herodias demanded it. As a party favor, had John beheaded. The opposition to Jesus and His followers was ramping up.
Matthew 14:13- Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities.
Jesus attempted to withdraw to mourn and most likely to pray but the Mark account of this says Jesus went to the secluded place to rest.
JESUS FEEDS 5000 +
Jesus and the disciples have recently finished separate missions to spread the news about the coming of the Kingdom of heaven. As they traveled together back from the mission, Jesus and the Pharisees have a confrontation about the Sabbath. After that confrontation, the Pharisees begin to conspire about how to kill Jesus and start undermining Him by saying He is of Satan. At the same time, the crowds who followed Him were coming for the show or the benefits but were rejecting His invitation to the Kingdom. He changed how he was teaching and taught in parables. At the same time, Jesus learns about the execution of John and so He and the disciples withdraw for a break. But the crowds follow, and Jesus feels compassion for these lost souls.
Matthew 14:14- When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.
Despite the need for some rest, Jesus responds to the needs of those that came out to this remote place to see Him because of His own kindness and compassion. It would have been understandable if He would have sent them away until a later date. But that isn’t what happened.
Matthew 14:15-16- When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, this place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves. But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!”
The disciples on the other hand, are ready to send these people away. They try to advise Jesus to do just that, but the approaching dinner hour gives them a good excuse to get back to their vacation. But Jesus is having none of it. He tells them that they should feed these people. 5,000 of them!
So the disciples see what they can find for dinner, no catering available from the nearby town, they were out in the sticks. There was no way to feed all these people! But there was a boy who brought a couple of fish and five loaves of bread that they found. But that was about it. No way that serves the need of so many.
Jesus wanted the disciples to consider how they could serve these people in need rather than sending them away. This isn’t the only time they try to keep people away from Jesus. In Matthew 15 a Canaanite woman comes to Jesus and they say, “send her away”, in Matthew 19 children come to Jesus and they say, “send them away” and in Luke 9 a man trying to cast out demons come to Jesus, and they try to keep Him away. The disciples have a long way to go. But Jesus is about to show them an amazing miracle.
Matthew 14:18-20- And He said, “Bring them here to me.” Ordering the people to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves. He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets.
Some have claimed over the years that the food already existed among the crowd and that they all shared with one another due to Jesus’ example of sharing. But that isn’t at all what is described here. This was a miracle. Jesus gave thanks and broke the bread, and they began to serve the crowd. And they just kept serving and serving, and miraculously, they kept having food to serve. It says in the last verse of this story (Matt 14:21) that there could have possibly been a crowd of 10,000 to 15,000 people. This is a huge crowd! And they ate until they were satisfied and Jesus showing the abundance of His provision had 12 baskets of food left over!
JESUS WALKS ON WATER
Immediately following this miraculous meal and after Jesus had healed their sick, Jesus sends the disciples back across the sea of Galilea and then gets to work sending the crowd home. After sending the crowds and the disciples away, Jesus retreated to a mountain to pray. As he prayed there by Himself the disciples made progress sailing back home. But as they did, a storm came upon them.
Matthew 14:24- But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary.
The sea of Galilea is more like a large lake and on one side it has raised plateau’s that make for some very fast approaching, dramatic storms on the sea. The storm comes upon them in the middle of the night and as they struggled to keep the boat upright, they look out in the darkness.
Matthew 14:25-27- He came to them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take Courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
It makes perfect sense that the disciples, catching a glimpse of someone walking on water would immediately be afraid. After all, no one can do that. And they likely had been fighting this storm for a long time and were weary and still no where near their destination. But Jesus calms them down by confirming that it is Him. After that we get this wonderful picture of faith.
Matthew 14:28-31- Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and began to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
What a fascinating moment! Peter has the faith to ask Jesus to walk on water, which of course is impossible! And Jesus grants him that and works a miracle in the middle of the Sea of Galilea. Peter walks toward Jesus, but then becomes fearful and looks away from Jesus and begins to sink in the water, causing him to cry out to Jesus for help. But what happens next is remarkable. Jesus stepped into the boat with Peter and instantly everything was calm. The storm immediately stopped. This is the second time Jesus had total power of nature by calming a storm on this very sea. The disciples fell at His feet and worshiped him as “The Son of God” (Matt 14:33)!
As Jesus’ conflict with the religious leaders heightens, Jesus gives the disciples this wonderful confirmation that He is indeed who He claims to be! He is the Messiah!